Ginger Ale and Tiny Soda. Their first such beverage is a ginger and hibiscus carbonated beverage named Cockade Ale whose recipe is based on a drink Adams grew up drinking in the Republic of Panama. The name Cockade is also a tip to the history of the area. The Petersburg Volunteers who served valiantly in the War of 1812 wore a rosette on their caps and Cockade City has been a nickname for Petersburg ever since. Ammons has worked with other communities such as Hopewell and South Boston on redevelopment options and shares “the rise of craft brewery is one thing but the role of the small brewery in a small town is to me something that’s really interesting. I don’t know of anything else people claim as local more than a brewery.” At Ammo Brewery, Adams says they aim to be a place that’s comfortable but will also be dynamic. She says you will want to come back often to see what’s going on. They have added a gallery and expect to host events of all kinds. The taproom music is usually jazz or blues and is played through a tube amp. Ammons adds,“You can paint it anyway you want but the craft industry is a pretty white world. We live in a city that is 80-85% African American. We want to help all Petersburg people have a place to come.We wanted to be part of a process that helps move the city forward a little bit, maybe a lot.” Southern Exposure Food Truck is at the brewery each weekend and fans are already talking on Facebook about enjoying a brunch of their “brisket and gravy” and Ammo’s excellent beers Sunday mornings when they open at ten. There is nary a word about Petersburg’s problems in such reviews.
Steve Deason
out bitterness. Crater Hop Bomb is an 11.5 ABV Triple IPA. The recipe includes five different hop varieties yet is described as “the smoothest hoppy beer you’ll ever have.” Their Little Monster Imperial IPA is 8.9 ABV and uses German Pilsner Malts to add a little sweetness. Proper conditioning is critical to making a beer to style and letting flavors blend properly according to Ammons. Using a play on an old wine commercial, Adams and Ammons say the small brewery has the luxury of selling no “beer before its time.” As examples Ammons says his “Rosemary’s Baby Saison needed a month of conditioning for the rosemary to blend with other herbs and not be resiny. Or our Fup Duck Smoked Porter, if you pull it out too soon, it’s harsh.” Ammons and Adams both like introducing people to new styles of beer. To date, no two beers are off of the same recipe. Ammons says his brewing studies motivate him “toward making a distinction between making a historical style well and trying something because it might be interesting.” He goes on to say he wants to brew like he designs with about half being new crazy things and the other half focused on tradition and local things. Black Racer is a delicious low alcohol (4.5 ABV) Summer Stout made with cold brewed coffee from Richmond’s Blanchard’s Coffee Roasters. Ammo also offered a Grisette, a Belgian Pale Ale, and a Cherry Gose at opening. Ammons’ son Malcolm assists with brewing and helps Emma White and Kelsey Barnes in the taproom. In addition to their beers, the brewery is developing several non-alcoholic beverages as a homage to the Bain’s Bottling Works that once was located in the same space. During remodeling, the team found many old bottles of Bain’s
Ammo exterior in Petersburg
ammo brewing • 235 N Market St, Petersburg • ammobrewing.com VIRGINIACRAFTBEER.COM
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